Harry Potter fans divided over Umbridge casting for TV series

This year, filming is set to commence on HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter TV show with the aim being for the series to premiere in 2026.

I’ll admit, I was skeptical when the show was first announced and I somewhat remain so now.

The idea of adapting one book per season feels promising but the film series is just so iconic.

Can you replace the film series’ actors and sets and have an audience accept that?

Well, HBO and Warner Bros. will certainly be hoping so, although it has been announced that some sets will be reused, like the Great Hall.

That’s another can of worms. Is the TV show right to honour the established look? Should it carve out its own identity?

I suppose in reusing some sets and redesigning others, it’s doing a bit of both.

As for casting, no formal announcements have been made although various film publications have commented on those reportedly in discussions to portray Snape and Hagrid.

In the meantime, whilst we await an official cast announcement, Harry Potter fans have taken to discussing who should portray Umbridge, but it’s a topic of much debate.

You can view the show’s original teaser trailer below.

Umbridge is a pretty pivotal character, although not particularly pivotal ahead of the Order of the Phoenix.

Even still, fans are keen to discuss who could portray the role originated by the incredible Imelda Stauton.

Emily Watson, Brenda Blethyn, Kristin Scott Thomas, Olivia Colman, and Lena Headey are all names that were thrown into the hat.

“Lena Headey can do casual evil so easily,” wrote Tricky-Ingenuity6781.

“Olivia Coleman, please! She was delightfully cruel in Fleabag and I want to see her do it again,” added bofffff.

“Brenda Blethyn is such a good actress,” declared Less-Feature6263.

I have to say, I think all of these actors would be fantastic so this isn’t a bad debate to have.

It’s much better that there’s too many fantastic Umbridge options rather than none at all.

The question is: Will casting directors be thinking along the same line as fans? That awaits to be seen.